Coronavirus Article Bar with counter
British holidaymakers who had their Covid vaccinations more than nine months ago and have not had their booster face being barred from France.
Under new rules introduced by France this week, vaccinated Britons will not be allowed to visit France if they received their second jab more than 270 days ago.
The only way they will be permitted entry is if they have had a booster jab at least 14 days before travelling.
The move which could upset some families half term holiday plans follows a recommendation by the EU that all countries in the bloc should adopt the 270 day booster rule from February 1.
Although most EU countries have adopted the same approach, they are free to set their own rules. Italy only allows access to hotels, restaurants and public transport if a traveller’s jab is no more than six months old under rules that will remain in place until at least March 15.
UK government ministers have been warning Britons in recent months that many countries will adopt rules effectively requiring people to have booster jabs. Nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of over 12 year olds have had a booster, equivalent ot 37.4 million people.
The French authorities said that they will treat people who had their jabs more than nine months ago as though they are unvaccinated.
Unvaccinated travellers must self-isolate for 10 days when they arrive in France and have an essential reason to enter the country – which does not include for holidays.
The Eurostar website said: “To be recognised as fully vaccinated for travel purposes, anyone aged 18 or over must have had either their primary approved course of full vaccination within the past 9 months OR a COVID-19 vaccine booster.”
Under 18s do not need a booster jab to be considered fully vaccinated.
Travellers who have had the booster jab still need to show proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure and complete a sworn statement confirming you have no Covid symptoms.
Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Dubai have also put limits on how much time can pass between someone getting their second jab and their booster.
British visitors who have been double jabbed (or had a single dose of the Janssen vaccine) are able to enter Italy on production of proof of vaccination and a negative Covid test result. The Government in Rome simply asks for: “Completion of the full vaccination cycle with an EMA-approved vaccine.”
But to access venues without further testing, travellers must be able to prove that their last jab – whether part of the initial immunisation or a booster – was no more than six months ago.
NHS certification of Covid vaccination is accepted as equivalent to the “Super Green Pass” that is required for entry to most public venues.
The latest Foreign Office travel advice for Italy says: “From 1 February you must have had your final vaccine within 180 days for your vaccination certificate to be valid when visiting Italy.” The rule is actually six months, which will typically be 184 days.
